Wednesday, December 20, 2006

First Gold National Swimming Medals for Bonaire

The Netherlands Antilles National Swimming Championships were held recently in Curacao, and Bonaire swimmer Samson V. Evertsz became the first Bonairean swimmer ever to win gold at this event.  Competing against top swimmers from Curacao and St. Maarten, Samson returned with three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals in the Minor Category (10 years and under).

Samson won gold in 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter freestyle, and 100-meter backstroke.  His 50-meter freestyle time at this meet was the fastest achieved by any boy 10 and under in the Netherlands Antilles this year.  Samson won silver in 50-meter backstroke and bronze in the 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter breaststroke, and 200-meter individual medley.  In 2005, Samson was the first Bonairean swimmer to win a medal at the national level with a bronze in 100 meter butterfly.

Samson swims for the Bonaire Barracudas Aquatics Club.  The club was founded in 2004 and is coached by parent volunteers with the help of visitors to Bonaire who assist as “guest coaches” during their stay.  Masters swimmer Maryann Coburn, a backstroke specialist from Illinois, worked with the team this spring.  As a result of her help, five Barracuda swimmers qualified to swim backstroke at the National Championship this year.  Greg Long, a former All-American swimmer at Stanford University, has worked with the club, as has Olympic-medalist Enith Brigitha from the neighboring island of Curacao.  (Source:  Bonaire Barracudas Aquatics Club)